Index: includes/theme.inc
===================================================================
RCS file: /cvs/drupal/drupal/includes/theme.inc,v
retrieving revision 1.504
diff -u -p -r1.504 theme.inc
--- includes/theme.inc	13 Aug 2009 03:05:54 -0000	1.504
+++ includes/theme.inc	13 Aug 2009 04:37:02 -0000
@@ -1227,7 +1227,8 @@ function theme_placeholder($text) {
 
 /**
  * Return a themed set of status and/or error messages. The messages are grouped
- * by type.
+ * by type. An invisible header identifies the messages for assistive technology.
+ * Sighted users see a colored box, e.g. green or red.
  *
  * @param $display
  *   (optional) Set to 'status' or 'error' to display only messages of that type.
@@ -1239,6 +1240,7 @@ function theme_status_messages($display 
   $output = '';
   foreach (drupal_get_messages($display) as $type => $messages) {
     $output .= "<div class=\"messages $type\">\n";
+    $output .= '<h2 class="element-invisible">' . t("$type messages") . "</h2>\n";
     if (count($messages) > 1) {
       $output .= " <ul>\n";
       foreach ($messages as $message) {